by chance

phrase

: in the haphazard course of events

they met by chance

Examples of by chance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This could reveal how common encounters like this are and if more binary systems are composed of stars brought together by chance encounters. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 9 Sep. 2026

While Sarah Hancock and Matthew Conaghan met by chance in Santa Monica, their closest circle brought them together. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026

Before long, the book moves back in time to shadow the king himself, an unhappy leader thrust into his role by chance and now on the brink of death. — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

Despite this scrutiny, the demon cave fish was discovered only recently and completely by chance. — Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for by chance

• advance
• askance
• enhance
• expanse
• finance
• freelance
• mischance
• perchance
• romance
• circumstance
• esperance
• exceedance